JAY-Z Invests in Bail Reform Start-Up

We’ve got 99 problems, and the criminal justice system is one. Hence, JAY-Z is throwing his support behind a mobile app created to help address part of the challenge. Leadership at the Roc Nation company have teamed up with organizers behind the Promise app to create "a sustainable and scalable program that will reduce the number of people behind bars."Prince's former manager Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins came up with the idea for the app, which will be made available to government officials and users on parole. "We are increasingly alarmed by the injustice in our criminal justice system," a statement from JAY-Z reads. "Money, time and lives are wasted with the current policies. It's time for an innovative and progressive technology that offers sustainable solutions to tough problems. Promise's team, led by Phaedra, is building an app that can help provide liberty and justice for all to millions." According to the Vera Institute of Justice, 62% of the jail population is comprised of people who can’t afford bail. It isn't just a human rights issue, it's economic as well because it costs about $38 million a day to keep these largely nonviolent people behind bars, according to TechCrunch.com. A message on the app's sign-up sheet says that Promise assists users during the pre-trial process by setting them up with a plan for their case and tracking their progress. The app launches today. More here.